Several Questions about Several Orchids - Orchid Board

NWBOCHs09 · #1 06-27-2010, 04:43 PM

So its been a while since I have been on this forum, no need to ask any questions until now.

The first is is it normal for Phallies to bloom CONSTANTLY? I mean BIG blooms (6 to 7) ... seems like one of my Phal's is just constantly in bloom...

The Other is I have Three Vandaceous Orchids, (purple/orange/red) all together in a small hanging basket... of which I need to get a bigger basket, but anyway.... The Orange One is producing a bloom stalk again and i was wondering if there was anything I could do to produce extra large or plentiful blooms? And How do I get the others to bloom, they havent yet...

The last question is about my Catleya Orchid... which is growing fine, and has good color however the older stalks look to be shriveled... And Im not sure why.

I live in Northeast Alabama and it is in the 90's durring the day here with a humidity factor of about 400 (UGH ITS HORRIBLE!) , the Catleya is ont he patio, recieves dappled sunlight all day which is filtered through a very large water oak tree above. I have moved it were it can get morning sun until about 10 am. and then shade/filtered light for the rest of the day...
I water them several times a week, and am hardgrowing all of my orchids btw... including this one.

Are the older striveling stalks normal?

thanks

Poppyseed · #2 06-27-2010, 04:57 PM

I don't know the answers to any of your questions, but i'm wondering how you get away with watering several times a week! what medium do you have your chids in?

WhiteRabbit · #3 06-27-2010, 05:42 PM

Older pbulbs will shrivel some - I guess whether it's normal depends on the severity of the shriveling. Severe shriveling could be caused by either under-watering - or very likely over-watering, which then causes the roots to rot, and the plant cannot take up any water. In either case it's not likely the pbulbs will plump again. But if the problem that caused it is corrected new growth should be fine

Congrats on your ever-blooming Phal - I would guess whether or not that is normal depends on it's parentage. I guess it must be normal for yours - or it wouldn't be doing it

NWBOCHs09 · #4 07-04-2010, 12:48 AM

Well they are all potted in FirBark/Charcoal/perilite mix... besides the Vanda's... they are not potted but are in a basket.

The shriveling isnt severe... and it doesnt have root rot I know, and is producing new growth still.. so I suppose its normal.

lol The Phal seems like it blooms constantly, as soon as the old bloom is done within weeks a new stalk trys to come up... each time the blooms have been bigger...

My Orange Vanda bloom stalk is still growing... any suggestions on optimizing its bloom size?

VickiC · #5 07-04-2010, 01:00 AM

Glad you're back with us on the forum.

I'm sorry, but I have no answers to your questions.....I've been trying to grow orchids only approx. 2 yrs.

I see that you are in Northeast Alabama. I'm curious if we may be fairly close neighbors.....I live just south of Cullman. I'm always interested in who I may happen to live near.

I hope you get the answers to your questions.....there are some very experienced and knowledable growers here (as I'm guessing you may know from the past)
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWBOCHs09

So its been a while since I have been on this forum, no need to ask any questions until now.

The first is is it normal for Phallies to bloom CONSTANTLY? I mean BIG blooms (6 to 7) ... seems like one of my Phal's is just constantly in bloom...

The Other is I have Three Vandaceous Orchids, (purple/orange/red) all together in a small hanging basket... of which I need to get a bigger basket, but anyway.... The Orange One is producing a bloom stalk again and i was wondering if there was anything I could do to produce extra large or plentiful blooms? And How do I get the others to bloom, they havent yet...

The last question is about my Catleya Orchid... which is growing fine, and has good color however the older stalks look to be shriveled... And Im not sure why.

I live in Northeast Alabama and it is in the 90's durring the day here with a humidity factor of about 400 (UGH ITS HORRIBLE!) , the Catleya is ont he patio, recieves dappled sunlight all day which is filtered through a very large water oak tree above. I have moved it were it can get morning sun until about 10 am. and then shade/filtered light for the rest of the day...
I water them several times a week, and am hardgrowing all of my orchids btw... including this one.

Are the older striveling stalks normal?

thanks

orchidsamore · #6 07-04-2010, 06:18 AM

I will answer your questions in reverse order.

The Cattleya is probably normal. The amount of shriveling on older back bulbs is often dependent on the species or hybrid you own. My C. leopardi is such a plant that has never had a plump pseudobulb or even a plump leaf. The new growth is just as bad. It flowers beautifully.

The Vanda will flower in its own time. You said they were small. Most Vanda need to be quite old to flower. 5-7 years is normal and some varieties may need to be 12 or more years old. I have a 4 foot Vanda with a two foot keiki and it has not flowered yet.

As often as you are watering it is still minimum for Vanda. They like water every day (a good soaking) and the respond better to weekly fertilizer.

There is not much else you can do for larger or more plentiful flowers. These factors are normally genetic. Good care, more water and regular fertilizer.

It is not common for Phals to flower so often, but it does happen. Certain varieties are more likely to flower multiple times.. You plant is exceptional. Enjoy it.

NWBOCHs09 · #7 07-05-2010, 01:47 AM

Thank you!...
Well, the one Vanda is flowering... the other two arent yet. they are an Vanda... Ace something hybrid I think.. one of those "basket vandas" you can get a lowes... I have three together in the same basket.

Thanks for the watering tips..
Do you still think I need to water that much even though the humidity here is around 90-100% in the summer?

I have moved the Vandas so that they get morning sun from ~7am - 1030am... then shade/dappled light the rest of the day.

I have also moved the Catleya in the same place and gave it a good soaking today...
I dunno, its yet to flower, is growing and has put on several new pbulbs.. but the shrinking just freaks me out.

lol I suppose the Phal is a good one, however sometimes I wish it would just take a break for a while.

And does anyone know much about Tillandsia and other Bromeliads here?

thanks

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 07-05-2010, 02:05 AM

I grow Tillandsias. What do you want to know?

NWBOCHs09 · #9 07-07-2010, 05:42 PM

Well I have a Tillandsia Ionantha (mexican) and it just got done blooming and is turning back green which I know is normal..
I was wondering how you care for yours, anything special I need to do, that kind of thing, just general info.

Right now I have it attached to some driftwood via fishing line, in shaded light outside all day under a tree on the patio. it gets dappled sunlight in the evening.

its in the 90's during the day now and 70s at night here...

Watering Im not sure of, i water using either rainwater or distilled once a week or so ... I remember reading something about not watering it from the top, to turn it upside down and water it..

I was wondering when its going to throw pups, and what to look for as far as new growth goes..

is there any fertilizer I can use?

thanks!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #10 07-08-2010, 12:26 AM

You can use orchid fertilizer that's urea free in a less dilute mix.

Other than that, you've got it.

It really doesn't matter if you mounted this plant to a piece of wood whether you water it from the top or not. Even if it wasn't, it doesn't matter.

When it will produce pups is up to plant, and is really just random. Look between the leaf axils.

Tillandsias are the ultimate epiphytes and are very adept at living the epiphytical lifestyle (better than orchids in my opinion).